Juan Diego Catholic High School’s girls basketball team is off to a great start with a 10-2 record, thanks in part to new coach Natalie Williams and two athletic freshmen. Yes, freshmen.

Monique and Dominique Mills, identical twins and freshmen at JD, currently lead the team in scoring.  While the twins may seem shy in the hallways at school, they become tough competitors on the basketball court. 

Part of what makes this tandem special is how much fun they have practicing and picking on each other. “I like shooting and rebounding the best because when my sister shoots, I get her rebounds,” says Dominique Mills.

They can tease each other because they have been playing together since fourth grade at St. Ann’s Catholic School in Salt Lake City.  They have always been a step or two ahead of the rest, says JD freshman Mara Gronseth.  “My team at St. John the Baptist Elementary School played against them many times, and they dominated us every time,” Gronseth says. “We dreaded playing them.”

Mo and Dee, as their teammates and friends call them, have always loved the game. While growing up, their dad and coach, Silas Mills, who played college and professional basketball, taught them the basics and tricks of the game. “Our parents really wanted us to go to Juan Diego because of the awesome coaching and facility for basketball,” says Mo.

“We love practicing together,” says Dee.  The twins say they are each other’s coaches in a way and that they also work together through friendly competition.  While they compete for bragging rights about most points or most rebounds, each twin also wants the other to do well. 

Gronseth enjoys watching the twins on the court.  “When they pass to each other in games, it seems like they already know beforehand where the other is," she said.

Williams, who has only known Mo and Dee for about a year, says she realized how good they were in the summer when they started playing with the JD team.  While some cannot tell Mo and Dee apart, Williams can identify them by their faces and their strengths.  “Mo has quick moves, while Dee rebounds with strength,” says Williams.  Williams also says the twins are great girls, very coachable, and that she is preparing them to be Division 1 college players someday, even though they are only freshmen.

Mo and Dee say they appreciate Williams' coaching. “The coaching from Natalie is amazing,” says Dee. “We have learned so much and the team works together to achieve our goals.” 

However, the twins don’t only credit Williams for their success, but also their older teammates. “The upperclassmen have been great team leaders, showing us what the whole team needs to do to improve and win,” says Mo Mills. 

Coach Williams hopes to have the student body come out and see not only how good the twins are, but how the entire basketball program grows and develops through the season.